Netflix as an educational tool?

At the beginning of the semester, I wasn't too surprised with a teacher recommending the internet service Netflix to get the movies that we would be studying in class. I've had my problems with viewing video on blackboard, it often doesn't work for me. That teacher also felt that uploading them all the time might be kind of a hassle, so she also promised to keep copies in the library. So far, Netflix has worked out.

For those who don't know, Netflix is a mailorder rental service. However, they also offer some movies that will play instantly. Last night I was able to show my sister Forrest Gump for the first time, after much criticism for never seeing it. I've seen half of the films online for that particular class and I'm able to pause, fast forward, and even seek throughout the timeline of the movie. If I decide that I want to take a break from my current Don't Be a Menace to South Central..." and watch The Office, I can come back to the prior at any time uninterrupted.

I've also used it for my video editing class, or at least the ones I find on instant play. We read articles in the class that reference some movies that I've never seen, so it's nice to see that and make the connection with what the author was trying to convey.

Not everything is on instant play, but the turnaround for the mail service is only about a day. I can go on and add movies to my queue and they'll send them to me. When I'm finished, I can send it back, and they send me another one on my list. I can modify that list at any time on the website and rate movies that i've seen, as well as post comments. I only pay $8.99 a month for unlimited instant play, and 1 DVD out at a time. However, I can have an unlimited amount of DVD's every month. I mostly use the instant play just because it's so easy, but a lot of times I have to resort to getting the DVD's. But like I said, there is a very short turnaround when exchanging.

Maybe someday Bridgewater can realize that things are moving in a media direction, and a lot of classes that are currently offered use the study of films and TV shows as part of their lessons. It would be pretty cool to see some kind of deal made where students here could get the service for a discount, or it could be more integrated into academic life.

MTV...another lawsuit?

UNICO, a predominant American-Italian organization, is considering suing MTV for the use of the term "guido" in Jersey Shore.

The use of words like ‘Guidos’ and ‘Guidettes’ is racial stereotyping in the worst possible sense and they are portraying young Italian Americans in the worst possible light." -UNICO President Andre Dimino

I know that many people have had this same problem. I've known that term to be derogatory for awhile and was surprised to see it on the show. The whole show itself is based around the idea of the "guido" - A tan, buff, Italian male, and the female companion "guidette". The show depicts them going out and partying almost all the time, starting problems with one another, and showing a generally poor attitude. Physical contact and verbal disagreements get extra coverage with plenty of footage to give the viewer the best angle of the situation. It's these characteristics that attract viewers to the show every week - the mystery of what the show has to offer each week.

I can't blame UNICO for being upset. MTV should have realized the repercussions from their actions. There was a scandal with one of the girls on the show, Snooki, about midway through the season. She was punched in the face by a drunk guy at the bar, and MTV decided to air the footage in teasers for the new episode. They were soon scrutinized for showing violence against women, and instead of showing the footage on the next week's show, only the audio was played over black. A disclaimer was offered to fight violence against women at the end of the episode. The footage was very graphic and caused a lot of emotional trauma for Snooki.

MTV has promoted the derogatory use of the term "guido", and now they have to pay the penalty. They need to learn that scandal, while it can make for interesting TV and can attract viewers, can have repercussions as well.

Source:

Radar Online

Facebook's facelift

As all of you probably saw yesterday or today, your beloved facebook is no longer the same. Well now that facebook has turned the ripe old age of 6, creator Mark Zuckerberg has given it some changes yet again.

Facebook is on a mission to make things easier for the common user. I've personally seen a diverse age population on Facebook. Not only are business professionals now using it, but so are grandmas to stay in contact. Facebook adapted to this change accordingly.

Their applications are now easier to see and examine. Notifications pop up in the top left hand corner rather than the bottom right. Messaging and requests are located right next to that. There is also no "Home" or "Profile button. All you have to do now is click on the "Facebook" in the top right to go home, and click on your picture to view your profile.

Now I've only had the new Facebook for just about 20 minutes. I logged in and saw the change, and thought there would be a large uproar. So far, people seem pretty positive. i know not a lot of people are receptive to change, but I think this is something that can work for the website well.

CNN Link

Morality at the movies

I'm currently taking a seminar course entitle Morality at the movies. I was intrigued when I saw the syllabus and saw a lot of movies that we would be watching, but wondered how many popular films would be involved in a philosophy class.

Our first film was Gone Baby Gone. I hadn't seen the movie before the class but I had heard rave reviews. The topic at hand that we were told to watch out for was who would be inherently right, and that was what we based our discussions on.

This topic got me to thinking a lot about what movies have to offer in the way of real world advice, and how they use narrative to tell a story. The writer of this particular story wanted the viewer to be enthralled and used almost every single character in the rehash of the events of the film. At the end, I was personally left wondering how those people were able to lie with such a straight face.

But once again, these people are just actors. They are simply playing a part. I thought it was odd that I was thinking that way and relating these characters to real people. I think people can use the movies to tell a story and show a lesson to some, or even just get people's minds cranking and talking to one and another about it.

I've seen films used before as educational tools, but never in a philosophy class. The idea behind the whole lesson was that there was no "right" answer to a dilemma. that really got my wheels turning about every single aspect of Gone Baby Gone.